Teen called poor choice for juvenile justice system

A psychologist testified in Northampton County Court that a 15-year-old Easton boy charged as an adult for allegedly shooting his cousin isn't amenable to treatment in the juvenile system.

James M. Perkins told Judge William F. Moran on Friday that he evaluated James D. Holmes of the 500 block of Line Street in July, before the Jan. 6 shooting of the 15-year-old girl at her Easton home. Holmes' actions since the evaluation, Perkins said, indicate that Holmes is not a good candidate for treatment.

Holmes is charged by Easton police with attempted homicide, aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangerment and committing a crime with a firearm. He was held at the Northampton County Prison for about two weeks before posting bail, then transferred to the county's juvenile detention center on a detainer.

Friday's hearing was the second for Holmes in his quest to be tried as a juvenile. Moran said he will issue a decision next week.

Perkins said that during his evaluation, done when Holmes was 14, he found that Holmes didn't take responsibility for his actions, had difficulty relating to adolescent girls, and displayed assaultive and aggressive behavior.

Perkins evaluated Holmes after Holmes had been charged as a juvenile with aggravated assault. Assistant District Attorney Patricia Broscius said at the first hearing that Holmes, while staying at the Children's Home of Easton, in Wilson, kicked, choked and tried to push a staff member down the stairs.

Lloyd Sacknoff, deputy director the county's juvenile justice system, testified Friday that Holmes had committed three infractions at the detention center. Sacknoff said Holmes punched a "low-functioning" boy at the center, scratched E Town and SSM onto his bedroom window and threatened another resident. Holmes denied making a threat.

Juvenile probation officer Scott Dellatore testified that SSM stands for South Side Mafia, and that Holmes said he was no longer affiliated with with the group. Dellatore said he doesn't know what E Town represents.

Dellatore said that when he asked Holmes about hitting the other boy at the center, Holmes said the boy "walked into my fist."

Holmes' attorney, Alexander Karam Jr., told Moran that "the commonwealth's attempt to throw him to the dogs" is wrong. Karam said Perkins' evaluation shouldn't be used against Holmes, because Holmes is older now. "It would be more productive for society if this gentleman, who still has a lot of growing up to do," is tried as a juvenile, Karam said.

But Broscius said a lot of time has been spent to determine if Holmes is amenable to treatment in the juvenile system. Holmes, she said, "is doing adult things," and "his actions ... show that he is not going to change."